Educators focusing on programs, merit pay for budget cuts

Despite budget cuts, Utah's teachers still have a glimmer of hope for their potential merit pay package.

Legislators have been discussing axing the one-time $20 million educator bonus package altogether. But during discussions Wednesday, Legislators considered not only paring the plan down to $5 million — but also making it a contest, of sorts.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said rather than spreading $5 million across all applicants, he would rather see the funds given to the districts and charter schools with the top proposals for the performance-based compensation plan.

Participation in the one-time merit pay program was voluntary. The state board reviewed and eventually approved plans from 88 districts and charter schools last summer. Some plans were deemed excellent while others were sent back to districts and charters for revisions.

Stephenson suggested the plans with the "greatest promise and effort" be awarded.

The merit pay package, along with myriad other budget-cutting options, were discussed during the Legislature's Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee meeting Wednesday. This is one of the first of many steps before the Legislature finalizes budget cuts.

Public education is being held to a 7.5 percent budget cut for fiscal year 2009 and a 15 percent cut for fiscal year 2010. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and legislators have emphasized educators are not to harm classrooms or teachers.

The proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2009 targets the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, along with arts and science programs. A long list of Utah State Office of Education programs are also on the docket.

Fiscal year 2010 cuts will be addressed later in the Legislative Session.

State education leaders presented Wednesday a summary of budget cut recommendations from school districts and charter schools for fiscal year 2009.

The top proposed cut was the merit pay, followed by quality teaching funds, pupil transportation, and a K-3 reading program. Statewide, the jobs of 14 teachers, 30 support staff and seven administrators could be eliminated.

Larry Shumway, State Associate Superintendent, said charter schools are suffering bigger challenges than school districts when it comes to budget cuts. Charter schools, especially the newer ones, have less available reserves and smaller capital budgets, he points out. Education leaders have been discussing an idea to cut one day of school to save $12.5 million statewide. Nine schools and three charter schools support this idea.

State Superintendent Patti Harrington said cutting days is still an option and the State Board will be looking at this for the fiscal year 2010.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com